Cities of Refuge
Deuteronomy 19:1-14
Deu.19.1 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- יכרית: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- הגוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ארצם: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,pl
- וירשתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- וישבת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- בעריהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- ובבתיהם: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 7:1-2 (verbal): Similar introductory formula about the LORD giving over/disposing of the nations before Israel so they may dispossess them and take the land.
- Deuteronomy 11:31-32 (thematic): Continues the commission to pass over the Jordan and possess every place where Israel sets foot—same theme of divine gift and occupation of the land.
- Joshua 21:43-45 (allusion): Narrative fulfillment: the LORD gives Israel the land and subdues their enemies so that they inherit the promised cities and territories.
- Exodus 23:28-30 (verbal): Promise that God will send terror/hornets and drive out the inhabitants of the land little by little—parallel language describing how God removes nations before Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- When the LORD your God cuts off the nations that the LORD your God is giving you and you dispossess them and settle in their land and in their towns,
- For the LORD your God will cut off the nations whose land the LORD your God is giving you, and you shall dispossess them and live in their cities and in their houses.
Deu.19.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- שלוש: NUM,f,sg,abs
- ערים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- תבדיל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- בתוך: PREP
- ארצך: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לרשתה: INF,qal,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 35:11 (verbal): Commands to designate cities of refuge within the land closely parallel Deut. 19:2's instruction to set aside three cities for protection of the manslayer.
- Joshua 20:1-9 (quotation): Repeats and implements the Deuteronomic law by describing the identification and function of the cities of refuge for those who kill unintentionally.
- Deuteronomy 4:41-43 (structural): An internal Deuteronomic parallel that likewise instructs the designation of three cities east of the Jordan as places of refuge, showing the same legal structure repeated earlier in the book.
- Numbers 35:6 (thematic): Speaks of providing cities of refuge among the Levitical cities, connecting the theme of sanctuary and jurisdictional placement found in Deut. 19:2.
Alternative generated candidates
- you shall set apart three cities for yourself within your land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.
- You shall designate three cities for yourself within your land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.
Deu.19.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- תכין: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ושלשת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- ארצך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ינחילך: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg+PRON,2,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לנוס: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- שמה: ADV
- כל: DET
- רצח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 35:9-34 (thematic): Gives the fuller legislation for the cities of refuge (their purpose, boundaries, and procedures) that Deut 19:3 summarizes by ordering parts of the land to be set aside for manslayers.
- Joshua 20:1-9 (verbal): Repeats the command to designate cities of refuge and to provide asylum for accidental killers, echoing Deut 19:3’s instruction to make parts of the inheritance serve as refuge.
- Deut 4:41-43 (verbal): An earlier Deuteronomic passage that explicitly describes setting apart three cities east of the Jordan for the manslayer—paralleling Deut 19:3’s emphasis on ‘three’ and on refuge locations.
- Deut 19:1-13 (structural): The immediate legal context (witness rules, sanctuary for the slayer, and procedures) of which v.3 is a part; provides the broader structure and purpose for the command to divide the land into three parts.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall prepare the road and widen the boundary of your land that the LORD your God is giving you; and it shall be that any manslayer may flee there.
- Prepare the road for yourself and divide the border of your land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess; and these shall be a refuge there for any manslayer who may flee.
Deu.19.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וזה: CONJ+PRON,dem,m,sg,abs
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרצח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- ינוס: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- וחי: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יכה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- בבלי: PREP
- דעת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- לא: PART_NEG
- שנא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מתמל: ADV
- שלשם: ADV
Parallels
- Numbers 35:11-15 (structural): Prescribes the appointment of cities of refuge for a manslayer to flee and live — the institutional setting behind Deut 19:4's asylum provision.
- Numbers 35:22-28 (verbal): Distinguishes intentional murder from accidental killing and sets forth the legal consequences and protections for the unintentional killer, echoing Deut 19:4's 'without intent' language.
- Joshua 20:3-6 (allusion): Joshua implements the command to designate cities of refuge and instructs how a manslayer may flee there and be safe — a direct narrative parallel to Deut 19:4's rule.
- Exodus 21:13 (verbal): Makes the legal distinction between premeditated murder and killing 'unwittingly' (or without malice), using language and concepts comparable to Deut 19:4.
- Deuteronomy 4:41-43 (structural): An earlier Deuteronomic passage establishing three cities of refuge beyond the Jordan for manslayers — the same legal institution to which Deut 19:4 refers.
Alternative generated candidates
- And this is the case of the manslayer who flees there and lives: he who strikes his fellow without intent, and who was not his enemy the day before yesterday or yesterday.
- Now this is the case of the manslayer who flees there and lives: he who strikes his neighbor unintentionally, not being his enemy in former time, nor having lain in wait for him.
Deu.19.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואשר: CONJ+PRON,rel
- יבא: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ביער: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לחטב: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- עצים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ונדחה: CONJ+VERB,nif,perf,3,f,sg
- ידו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- בגרזן: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לכרת: PREP+VERB,qal,infc
- העץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ונשל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הברזל: NOUN,m,sg,def
- מן: PREP
- העץ: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ומצא: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- רעהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- ינוס: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- וחי: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.4:41-43 (structural): Earlier Deuteronomic statement establishing the three cities of refuge beyond the Jordan (Bezer, Ramoth, Golan) and the same provision that a manslayer who struck unintentionally may flee and live — directly parallels the institution described in 19:5.
- Numbers 35:9-15 (thematic): Sets up the system of cities of refuge and the distinction between intentional murder and accidental killing; provides the broader legal framework into which the woodcutter example of Deut 19:5 fits.
- Numbers 35:22-28 (verbal): Specifically discusses killing with an instrument (iron) and distinguishes premeditated murder from involuntary manslaughter, prescribing refuge and adjudication — language and legal concerns closely parallel the axe‑accident scenario.
- Joshua 20:2-6 (structural): Narrative implementation of the Deuteronomic law: Joshua designates the cities of refuge and repeats the rule that one who kills unintentionally may flee there and be safe until trial — a direct application of Deut 19:5.
- Exodus 21:12-14 (thematic): Articulates the legal distinction between intentional homicide and accidental killing (no prior enmity), a principle underlying the refuge provision illustrated by the woodcutter in Deut 19:5.
Alternative generated candidates
- Or when a man goes into the wood with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings with the axe to cut down a tree, and the iron slips from the haft and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of these cities and live.
- Or when a man goes into the wood with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings with the ax to cut the tree, and the iron slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies—he shall flee to one of those cities and live.
Deu.19.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- פן: CONJ
- ירדף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- גאל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- אחרי: PREP
- הרצח: NOUN,m,sg,def
- כי: CONJ
- יחם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לבבו: NOUN,m,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- והשיגו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- כי: CONJ
- ירבה: VERB,qal,impf,3,ms
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והכהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ולו: CONJ+PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- אין: PART,neg
- משפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מות: VERB,qal,infabs
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- שנא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- מתמול: ADV
- שלשום: ADV
Parallels
- Numbers 35:9-34 (verbal): Primary legal exposition of the cities of refuge and the distinction between accidental manslaughter and murder; contains language about the avenger of blood and the case where the slayer is not entitled to refuge if there was prior hatred or premeditation.
- Joshua 20:1-9 (structural): Reiteration and implementation of the Deuteronomic/Numbers law: establishes the cities of refuge and the procedure for a manslayer fleeing there, paralleling the procedural concerns in Deut 19:6.
- Exodus 21:12-14 (thematic): Sets out the basic distinction between intentional murder (punishable by death) and unintentional killing (with provision for fleeing), matching Deut 19:6's concern to separate deliberate homicide from accidental killing.
- 1 Kings 2:28-34 (thematic): Narrative example in which a man (Joab) who had shed blood and was accused of prior murders is denied safe asylum and executed—illustrating the application of the rule in Deut 19:6 that prior hatred or culpability removes entitlement to refuge.
Alternative generated candidates
- Lest the avenger of blood pursue the slayer, because his heart is hot and he overtakes him, and the way is long, and strikes him fatally, though there has been no sentence of death against him; for he was not his enemy in times past.
- Lest the avenger of blood pursue the manslayer when his heart grows hot and overtake him because the way is long, and strike him down—though he was not deserving of death, for he was not his enemy in former time.
Deu.19.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- על: PREP
- כן: ADV
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוך: VERB,piel,part,1,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- ערים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- תבדיל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 35:9-15 (verbal): Directly parallels the divine command to designate cities of refuge—Numbers records the LORD’s instruction to ‘appoint cities of refuge’ for the manslayer, using similar language and purpose.
- Joshua 20:1-9 (structural): Narrative implementation of the command: Joshua proclaims and designates the six cities of refuge, enacting the settlement Moses/Deuteronomy prescribes.
- Deut.4:41-43 (allusion): An earlier passage in Deuteronomy that likewise sets apart three cities beyond the Jordan as places of refuge for unintentional manslayers—same institutional provision and number.
- Deut.19:1-13 (structural): Immediate context: the surrounding verses lay out the laws and procedures for manslayers and witnesses; verse 7 functions as the explicit command within this legal block to appoint three cities.
Alternative generated candidates
- Therefore I command you, saying, You shall set apart three cities.
- Therefore I command you, saying, 'You shall set apart three cities for yourself.'
Deu.19.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואם: CONJ
- ירחיב: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- את: PRT,acc
- גבלך: NOUN,m,sg,suff
- כאשר: CONJ
- נשבע: VERB,niphal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2,m,sg
- ונתן: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לתת: VERB,qal,inf
- לאבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 1:8 (thematic): An earlier Deuteronomic statement that God has set the land before the people and promised to give it to their ancestors, echoing the motif of lands promised to the fathers.
- Deuteronomy 11:24 (verbal): Uses similar language about the enlargement of Israel’s borders (‘every place where the sole of your foot treads’) and the extension of territory promised by God.
- Joshua 1:3 (quotation): God’s promise to Joshua—‘every place that the sole of your foot shall tread I have given unto you, as I promised to Moses’—closely parallels Deut.19:8’s assurance of expanded borders as promised to the fathers.
- Genesis 15:18 (allusion): The covenant to Abram specifying the land to his offspring is the foundational ‘promise to the fathers’ that Deut.19:8 invokes when speaking of God’s giving of the land.
- 1 Kings 8:56 (thematic): Solomon’s coronation prayer celebrates that God gave Israel the land and rest ‘according to all that he promised,’ reflecting the theme of fulfillment of ancestral land promises found in Deut.19:8.
Alternative generated candidates
- And if the LORD your God enlarges your border, as he swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land that he promised to give to your fathers,
- And if the LORD your God enlarges your border, as he swore to your fathers, and gives you all the land that he promised to give to your fathers,
Deu.19.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- תשמר: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- המצוה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- לעשתה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf+PRON,3,f,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- מצוך: VERB,piel,part,1,sg,obj:2,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- לאהבה: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- וללכת: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf,NA,NA,NA
- בדרכיו: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,suff3ms
- כל: DET
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ויספת: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- עוד: ADV
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- ערים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- השלש: NUM,card,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- Numbers 35:9-15 (structural): Earliest legal prescription for establishing cities of refuge — describes designation, purpose and boundaries of refuge cities, providing the institutional background for Deut.19’s mention of adding cities.
- Joshua 20:7-9 (verbal): Narrative fulfillment and expansion of the refuge-city system (total of six cities). Joshua explicitly lists the cities and the sixfold arrangement that Deut.19:9 anticipates if Israel keeps the commandments.
- Deut.30:16 (verbal): Closely parallels Deut.19:9’s conditional formula linking obedience to Torah with love of YHWH and walking in his ways — here promised results are life, blessing and possession of the land.
- Deut.6:5-6 (thematic): Core command to ‘love the LORD your God’ and keep his words. Deut.19:9 echoes this fundamental ethical/relational demand as the condition for communal blessing (adding cities).
Alternative generated candidates
- if you diligently keep all this commandment to do it that I command you this day—to love the LORD your God and to walk in all his ways all the days—then you shall add three more cities to these three.
- if you diligently keep all this commandment to do it which I command you today—to love the LORD your God and to walk in his ways all the days—then you shall add three more cities to these three.
Deu.19.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ולא: CONJ
- ישפך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נקי: ADJ,m,sg
- בקרב: PREP
- ארצך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,2ms
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- נחלה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- דמים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 35:33 (verbal): Both texts warn that bloodshed pollutes/defiles the land the LORD gives Israel; Numbers 35:33 uses closely related language about not polluting the land with blood.
- Genesis 9:6 (thematic): Establishes the principle that shedding human blood is a grave offense requiring judgment because humans are made in God's image—background ethical rationale for Deut.19:10's prohibition.
- Exodus 20:13 (thematic): The Decalogue's command 'You shall not murder' provides the foundational legal/ethical prohibition against shedding innocent blood reflected in Deut.19:10.
- Psalm 106:38 (verbal): The psalm condemns the shedding of innocent blood and says the land was defiled—language and concern closely mirror Deut.19:10's link between innocent blood and the land's purity.
Alternative generated candidates
- That innocent blood be not shed in the midst of your land, which the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance; for bloodguilt will be upon you.
- That innocent blood not be shed in your land that the LORD your God gives you for an inheritance; and blood will be upon you.
Deu.19.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וכי: CONJ
- יהיה: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- איש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שנא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- לרעהו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss3ms
- וארב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- וקם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- והכהו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- נפש: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ונס: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אחת: NUM,f,sg
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האל: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.19.4-6 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same chapter describing the provision of cities of refuge so that a manslayer may flee there — same legal context and purpose as v.11.
- Numbers 35.11-15 (structural): Commands the designation of cities of refuge and sets out who may flee to them — a direct legal parallel about asylum for unintentional killers.
- Numbers 35.22-28 (verbal): Distinguishes intentional murder from accidental killing and explains the manslayer’s right to flee to a city of refuge and the role of the avenger of blood — overlaps in language and legal consequence (ambush/premeditation vs refuge).
- Josh.20.3-6 (thematic): Reiterates the institution of cities of refuge when Israel enters the land and prescribes the procedure for manslayers who flee there — echoes Deut.19:11’s concern to protect those guilty of unintentional killing.
Alternative generated candidates
- But if a man hates his neighbor, lies in wait for him, rises against him and strikes him down so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities,
- But if anyone hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him, rises against him and strikes him so that he dies, and he flees to one of those cities,
Deu.19.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ושלחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- עירו: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:3,m,sg
- ולקחו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- משם: PREP
- ונתנו: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- גאל: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- הדם: NOUN,m,sg,abs,def
- ומת: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 35:25-27 (verbal): These verses set out the same legal procedure for a manslayer who leaves a city of refuge—the congregation judges, and if he departs the city the elders must bring him out and deliver him to the avenger of blood.
- Joshua 20:4-6 (structural): Joshua's regulations for the cities of refuge parallel Deut 19:12: fugitives are to remain in designated cities to escape the avenger, and the community's responsibility toward the manslayer (and to the avenger) is defined.
- Deuteronomy 4:41-43 (allusion): These verses establish the appointment of cities of refuge (on the east of the Jordan), providing the institutional background for the procedure described in Deut 19:12.
- Deuteronomy 19:6 (thematic): An earlier verse in the same chapter giving the purpose of the refuge system—so that the manslayer not be put to death before being heard by the congregation—highlighting the contrast when a refugee abandons safety and is returned to the avenger.
Alternative generated candidates
- then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him from there, and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, and he shall die.
- then the elders of his city shall send and fetch him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, that he may die.
Deu.19.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תחוס: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- עינך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- עליו: PREP,3,m,sg
- ובערת: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- דם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הנקי: ADJ,m,sg,def
- מישראל: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- וטוב: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 35:33-34 (verbal): Uses near-identical language about not defiling the land and purging innocent blood; develops the legal and cultic rationale for removing bloodguilt from Israel.
- Genesis 9:5-6 (thematic): Affirms the principle that life/blood must be accounted for when shed by another—divine demand for justice for murder (life for life).
- Proverbs 6:16-19 (thematic): Lists 'hands that shed innocent blood' among the things the Lord hates, echoing the moral condemnation of failing to deal with murderers.
- Genesis 4:10 (allusion): The voice of Abel's blood 'crying out' for justice resonates with Deut 19's concern to remove innocent blood and secure communal righteousness.
- Psalm 106:38 (thematic): Speaks of shedding innocent blood as defiling the land—paralleling Deut 19's link between bloodguilt and the wellbeing of the community/land.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not pity him; you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel, so that it may go well with you.
- You shall not pity him; you shall purge the innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with you.
Deu.19.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תסיג: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- גבול: NOUN,m,sg,cs
- רעך: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- גבלו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ראשנים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בנחלתך: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+SUF,2,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תנחל: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- בארץ: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיך: NOUN,m,sg,prsuf-2ms
- נתן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- לרשתה: INF,qal,3,f,sg
Parallels
- Deut.27.17 (quotation): Direct restatement in the covenant curses: "Cursed be he who removes his neighbor's landmark"—same prohibition against moving boundary stones.
- Proverbs 22:28 (verbal): Uses nearly identical language: "Do not move the ancient landmark which your fathers set"—a proverbial reiteration forbidding removal of boundary markers.
- Proverbs 23:10-11 (allusion): Repeats the injunction not to move an old boundary stone and warns against oppressing the fatherless—applying the boundary rule to social justice.
- Job 24:2 (thematic): Complains that some "remove the landmarks" and seize flocks—echoes the social and legal problem of illicitly taking others' land or resources.
- Isaiah 5:8 (thematic): Condemns those who join field to field and take possession of others' land—a prophetic denunciation of land-grabbing and enclosure similar to Deut 19:14's concern for lawful inheritance.
Alternative generated candidates
- You shall not remove your neighbor's landmark, which the ancients have set, in your inheritance that you will inherit in the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.
- You shall not move your neighbor’s boundary stone, which the earlier ones have set, in your inheritance that you shall inherit in the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.
When the LORD your God cuts off the nations whose land the LORD your God gives you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses,
you shall set apart three cities for yourself within the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.
Prepare a road for yourself and divide the boundary of your land that the LORD your God gives you, and it shall be a refuge there for any manslayer. And this is the case of the manslayer who flees there and lives: he who strikes his neighbor without intent, not having been his enemy in former times.
When a man goes with his neighbor into the forest to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree, and the iron slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies, he may flee to one of these cities and live.
Lest the avenger of blood pursue the slayer, because his heart is hot, and overtake him though the road be long and strike him down—though there is no sentence of death against him, since he was not his enemy before.
Therefore I command you, saying: You shall set apart three cities for yourself. And if the LORD your God enlarges your border, as he has sworn to your fathers, and gives you all the land that he promised to give your fathers,
if you keep all this commandment to do it that I command you this day, so that you may love the LORD your God and walk in his ways all your days, then you shall add three more cities to these three.
That innocent blood may not be shed in your land, which the LORD your God gives you as an inheritance, and there be bloodguilt upon you. But if a man hates his neighbor and lies in wait for him and rises against him and strikes him mortally so that he dies, and he flees to one of these cities,
the elders of his city shall send and take him from there and deliver him into the hand of the avenger of blood, and he shall die.
You shall not pity him; you shall purge innocent blood from Israel, and it will be well with you.
You shall not remove your neighbor's boundary stone, which the former ones have set, in your inheritance that you will inherit in the land that the LORD your God gives you to possess.